Probate and Estate Administration

We can provide the following services:

• Full probate and estate administration
• Grant- only service
• Will validity advice and executor support
• Intestacy guidance where there is no Will
• Inheritance Tax planning within estate administration, to include Deed of Variations
• Estate disputes management and referrals where necessary
• International probate – advising on foreign assets where the deceased was UK domiciled or the UK estates of non-domiciled individuals
• Settling the tax matters for the estate and negotiations with HMRC
• Advising on all aspects of setting up and transferring assets into trusts and their ongoing management upon a death

Sometimes an estate requires a neutral party, typically where:

• Executors are in conflict
• There are concerns regarding impartiality or family disagreements
• The court appoints an independent professional as an administrator

We are able to step in and act as independent administrators to ensure an estate is administered correctly and fairly through our trust corporation, PCS Trust Corporation Limited.

Costs: we offer a “Grant only” service which is on a fixed fee basis and limited to helping you apply for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Costs in relation to full estate administration is tailored to estate size and complexity. Our fees are often based on the time spent on your matter on an hourly rate basis. However, we are always happy to provide estimate costs and discuss capped fees. A full costs guide is provided at the outset of your matter.

All our solicitors are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), which demonstrates a commitment to providing the highest professional standards in the field of wills, trusts and administering estates.

Recent successful cases include:

• Following a dispute between family members, we were appointed to act as independent administrator and successfully finalised the estate and ensured the Will was followed, when initially it was thought the estate was intestate.
• Assisting administrators of an estate where the deceased passed away abroad with cross border assets. We coordinated with foreign lawyers to ensure the estate was administered correctly.
• Administering an estate where there was a missing beneficiary which needed to be traced using forensic genealogists and arranging indemnity insurance to protect the estate.
• We administered an estate involving family business shares, where the deceased passed away without a Will. We successfully completed negotiations with HMRC to secure Business Relief.